Michigan Releases Plan For Who Will Get COVID-19 Vaccine First

The first COVID-19 vaccines in Michigan will go to people serving in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients, according to the vaccine distribution plan released by the state health department Friday.

Some workers in essential and critical industries and people who may be at extreme risk for the coronavirus also will be among the first to receive the vaccine, officials said.

“The COVID-19 vaccine will help all our communities eliminate the virus,” MDHHS Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said. “Because initial allocations of vaccine will be limited, we must prioritize how the vaccine will be distributed across the state and will use the guidance and principles outlined by the CDC and national experts. We want every adult to be planning now for how they will get their vaccine once it becomes available to them.”

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On Thursday, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended approval for one of the vaccines that could be ready for distribution as early as next week. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also signed an order creating the bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission to help educate Michiganders about an approved vaccine.

Michigan health officials have set a goal of vaccinating 70 percent of Michiganders 18 years of age or older, about 5.4 million adults, by the end of 2021.

Read More: Michigan Creates Coronavirus Vaccine Commission

Health officials in Michigan said the state is following the CDC recommendations for prioritization of distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

Distribution of the vaccine will be in a phased approach, the state said, with an emphasis on both ensuring the continuing functioning of the health care system and essential services in the community and protecting people at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

These prioritizations may change as more information on vaccine effectiveness and additional vaccination products become available, officials warned.

Phase 1A

The first phase of distribution includes distribution to unpaid people serving in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents of long-term care facilities.

Phase 1B

Some workers in essential and critical industries, including workers with unique skill sets such as non-hospital or non-public health laboratories and mortuary services will be included in the second phase of distribution.

Phase 1C

This phase includes people at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions, and people 65 years and older, the state said.

Phase 2

Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan in Michigan includes a mass vaccination campaign for all adults.

The state said that vaccination in one phase may not be complete before vaccination in another phase begins. Vaccination in these phases will likely overlap. The timing of the start of vaccination in a phase is dependent on guidance from CDC and ACIP, the supply of vaccine from the manufacturer, how the vaccine is allocated from the federal level to Michigan and the capacity to administer the vaccine to populations.

Vaccine distribution will roll out over a series of weeks, and current estimates are that by late Spring 2021 enough vaccine will be available for everyone who is recommended to receive it, the state said.

There will be no out-of-pocket costs to individuals for the vaccine, however, healthcare providers may bill insurance for administrative costs, according to the state.

The COVID-19 vaccine will require two doses, separated by three or four weeks depending on the manufacturer. Michiganders should receive both doses in order to have full protection from the virus, the state said.

Individuals who receive the vaccine may experience mild side effects such as low-grade fever, sore arm, and fatigue, which indicate that the vaccine is working.

Read More: Most Will Get COVID-19 Vaccine, But Skeptics Remain: MI Survey